Summary Of Washington The Indispensable Man By James Flexner

George Washington, one of the most well know leaders in the history of the world is portraited in James Thomas Flexner’s piece “Washington: The Indispensable Man”. As most know Washington was one of the main driving leaders in the founding of our country. As the title expresses Washington’s role was crucial to success of our inspiring republic. Flexner’s piece follows Washington’s life as he deals with the dilemmas of being commander and chief. I highly agree with the approach Washington took in the governing of our country. The major dilemma Washington faces is either becoming a king, like so many of his soldier wanted, such as one of his colonels, Lewis Nicholas . Or to continue to rule as a commander in chief. Washington didn’t want to become a King with absolute power. The system of monarchy was flawed as him and so many others believed. “No occurrence in the course of the war has given me more painful sensations than your information of there being such ideas existing in the army” As you can see from the Washington’s response to Lewis Nicholas letter on becoming a king, Washington hates the idea of becoming a king.

At the time the current government under the articles of confederation had no power to tax its people. Son intern it had no money to pay its army and was greatly in debt. The soldiers wanted Washington to become King and essentially take over and make the colonies a monarchy. This is on solution that would fix the problem of not being able to tax, but not one Washington wanted to take. If he did this option the revolutionary war would have essentially been for nothing, since they were becoming precisely the thing they tried to get away